Eating Grown Up Food {Foreign and Domestic}

I haven’t shouted it from the rooftops although I’ve been mighty tempted … WE ARE KID-FREE THIS WEEK!!!!

{cue the angels singing, bubbles raining from heaven, and fully-trained puppies bounding across a hill}

For the first time ever, all three Kidlets are spending the week with Grandparents and Mama is getting THE BEST REST OF HER LIFE each and every night.

Seriously, y’all — the Husband and I had no idea just how sleep deprived we were until the first night. We slept through breakfast. Church. And (almost) lunch. We slept hard, barely moving the entire night, and the same thing happened last night. And during the day? We can think! We can form coherent sentences! We can accomplish ANYTHING!

Anyway … aside from precious sleep, the Husband and I have been enjoying a chance to venture out to restaurants that don’t have a Kid’s Menu or high-chairs, and our first stop was Foreign & Domestic — a young Austin establishment that has been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

In the years before we had children, the Husband and I adored trying out dives and high-cuisine establishments alike. It was our hobby and one we’ve missed in these years of high chairs and sippy cups. Since we are relegated to the house for 99% of our meals, we live vicariously through shows like DDD, planning our list of “Someday” restaurants.

Well, Someday arrived this week. And we were NOT been disappointed.

The menu at Foreign & Domestic isn’t your typical Texas fare but it definitely is FOCUSED on Texas fare, highlighting seasonal ingredients and meats from local farms and growers. You won’t find a menu over-saturated with greasy Tex-Mex knock-offs or syrupy fake BBQ. No, this menu is carefully planned to elevate local Texas ingredients, letting them shine for their natural flavors.

And, it’s amazing.

We had the Black Pepper and Gruyere Popovers, Crispy Beef Tongue (with an Arugula and Pickled Onions/Radish Salad), Roasted Bavette Steak (atop Creamed Greens with Corn Relish and a Balsamic Reduction), and the Market Fish (which was served with Sauer Fennel, Sprouted Legumes, Carrot Puree, Peas, and a Vermouth Broth).

Oh. Holy. Yum.

(I have to admit — I was nervous about the beef tongue. It was a new experience for me but it came so highly recommended we couldn’t pass it up. I’m so glad we didn’t; it was the most tender cut of meat and the acidic, pickled aromatics and the peppery arugula were the perfect compliment to an otherwise rich appetizer. And, texturally? Nothing there to make one suspicious… it just felt like a normal but but incredibly tender piece of beef. Yay!)

Yeah. No phone-pic of the fish and no memory of what type of fish it was because at that point I was too busy satiating my palette (aka “stuffing my face”) with the delicious steak and corn salsa. I sooooo need to try making a variation of this. It was one of the best things I have ever eaten.

Ever.

Foreign and Domestic is only open for dinner and seating begins at 5:30. With only 47 seats and no reservations taken, it’s a “first come – first served” situation. We were there by 5:15 and were among the lucky “first 47” who were seated immediately. Everyone else that came after had to wait in the courtyard until tables opened up; by the time we left there was a huge crowd waiting for a spot in this popular restaurant.

Oh, did you notice I didn’t mention a dessert? They have them — amazing ones created by Jodi Elliot (co-owner and recently named Austin’s Best Pastry Chef). But we were so immensely full from our meal that we passed. *I* passed.

My husband was shocked. It was the first time in our entire married life that I didn’t save room for dessert.

And THAT is the best compliment I can give Executive Chef/Co-owner Ned Elliot. This sweet-tooth driven girl didn’t have room for dessert.

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About Rachel Lacy

Rachel Lacy is the author of Following In My Shoes, where she blogs about Mommyhood, Family-Friendly Recipes and Bento Lunches, and Life in Texas. She is a lover of all things Coffee and Nutella.
You can also connect with Rachel Lacy on Google+.

Welcome

My name is Rachel -- I share tales about food and family. I'm a home-cook who focuses on fresh meals to both fuel us and to help us celebrate our family-life. My day starts with coffee. Lots of coffee. Read More About Me.